The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 25, 1926, Page 4

wEeeeon | resee a Wa Page Four F THE DAILY WORKER “Sine” | Workers (Communist) Party] “Rests BLOORTOSPEM ME ovier nussia Sanat deed eo ions Is Our Trade Union Work Important? By |. AMTER. party. In general there are two points of view: (1) One that trade union work may be important, but the unions are reactionary and there} | clares that only a small section of the| with the nature ADE union work is regarded in} working class is organized and that|that the central executive committee | Communists, various ways by comrades of the) this section, taken as a whole, is made | up of the skilled workers. These Com-| munists point out the fact that there| are 22,000,000 unorganized workers| and that it is mainly the function of | is little hope of the Communists gain-| the Communists to work among them. | ing influence. The other point of view | No one would deny the necessity of|the capitalists and the capitalist gov- is that trade union work is useless| working among the unorganized. in view of the fact that the unions | fact, embrace only a small section of the/ | class, it is one of the MAIN functions working class and since they have no intention of organizing the big mass| it is better for} ganized. of the unorganized, the Communists to occupy their time | work among the unorganized and prepare} | The Communists make use of the ex- are wrong. | and devote their energy to them for action Both points of view It is true that the unions.are in the hands of the reactionary officials, but} the idea that the progressive move- ment can make no headw pression of the worst pessimism— and pessimism is utterly unfounded, There are thousands of progressives in the unions—many conscious and many unconscious. But the progres- sives have no definite program—and they are unable to organize them- selves, the Communists to organize the pro- gressives into the left wing, give them a program and direction. Hence every’Communist must get into the unions and be active in them. Unions Are Class Organizations on Economic Field. The other type of Communist de- y is an ex-| It takes the dynamic force of} | Bosses Do Not Ignore Existing Unions. | In| | in view of the low state of or- ganization of the, American working of the trade unions to get in the unor- The trade unions are the organizations of the working class on the economic field, whether they are of a reactionary or radical character. istent unions insofar as they can be employed to organize the American workers, The Communists of this type do not recommend any substitute for the trade unions. Councils of action, shop committees and clubs are no substi- tute for unions. Both types of Com- munists have no basis for. their claims. Work in the trade unions is the most important work at the pres-) ent time. The Communists have not | yet evolved a method, nor are they Strong enuf to put thru a campaign for organizing the unorganized. This | will require much preparation—and | of the campaigns has laid out. recognition and defense of Soviet Russia, for the protection of the for-| eign-born workers, for a labor party— are based upon the existing conditions in this country and on the plans that ernment have in mind in order to break the organized labor movement of the country. If the capitalists en- tartained the same view of the trade union movement that some Commu- nists do, then they would ignore the trade unions as instruments of the working class. But as they know that rebelliousness is growing among the workers and that this resentment is beginning to express itself in the unions; and as they Communists and radicals are organ- izing and giving shape to this discon- tent, they are carrying on a vigorous open shop campaign to destroy the} entire organized labor movement, which the Communists consider reac- tionary. The United Mine Workers | of America are in the hands of reac- tionaries—and yet the coal operators had to negotiate long with Lewis be- fore they could find a formula would save Lewis’ face for a short time, when he sold out the strike. The installation of company unions These campaigns—tor | know that the! that | |the growth of real trade unions, The therefore, must regard trade unions as very important. They | must regard preparation for this work equally essential. Party fractions— the organization of the program and of the Communist forces in a union— must meet in order to prepare this |work. Without a well-working party |fraction there can be no successful Communist trade union work, There is still another type of Com- munist in the party who, because of inability to speak well, or to speak the English language fluently, regards it as a waste of time to belong to the unions. If all the comrades of the party spoke English well, it is per- fectly obvious that all the members would not speak at unions; the frac- tion would decide who would be the spokesmen and the others would take |the floor énly as the steering commit- tee decided. The function of a Com- munist does not consist only of talk- ing. There are other functions, such as distribution of literature, speaking to individuals, etc. that every Com- munist can perform. The Communists must begin to real- ize that those who can belong to the unions must get in and do their Com- jmunist duty. It is useless to talk of |developing the Communist movement and of getting the masses to follow the result of the campaign will be the|demonstrates another trick that the |our party unless we begin to function strengthening of the existent unions | or the formation of new unions. The membership of the party agrees | manufacturers employ in order to give | some semblance of union organization j;to the workers, even tho they are | worthless and are intended to prevent also, and above all among that section of the working class that already un- | derstands organization—understands it |and is in the trade unions. CLEVELAND MINERS’ RELIEF RESENTS SLANDER AGAINST WORKERS PARTY BY FEDERATION OF LABOR OFFICIALS CLEVELAND, O., Feb. 23.—The Cleveland Workers’ Conference for Min- ers’ Relief unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the action of the president and secretary of the Cleveland Federation of Labor for issuing a slanderous, baseless statement against the Workers Party. The Conference which met on Saturday night decided not to continue the work for miners’ relief in view of the fact that the strike is over. The cam- paign was hardly begun, when the socialists in the conference, who were | also elected to the committee of action, denounced the Workers Party in true| social-democratic fashion and decided not to participate in the conference | any longer. tended the conference. Only $53.28 was collected up to the present, expenses amounting to $9 having been incurred (hall rent, ete.). The balance of $44.28 the conference decided to send to the International Workers’ Aid, care of D. A. Edmonds, Kingston, Pa. The I. W. A. was in- dorsed by the general grievance com- mittee and the money will reach the miners. Report of income and ex- penditures will be sent to Frank Mor- rison, secretary of the American Fed- eration of Labor. The resolution adopted was as fol- lows: Whereas, the Cleveland Workers’ conference for miners’ relief was the result of the amalgamation of two conferences, namely, the conference called by the Workers Party and the conference called by the district com- mittee of the Workmen's Circle; and Whereas, there were present at the} two conferences before amalgamation, | representatives of the United Mine Workers of America, and two repre-| sentatives of the U. M. W. A. were present at the conference at which unity of the two conferences was de- cided; and Whereas, the representatives of the U. M. W. A. approved thé unity of the two conferences and wished the mnited conference success in raising relief for the striking miners; and Whereas, the Cleveland Federation of Labor has arrogated to the federation the right | to be the sole collector of funds for the striking miners, completely ignor- ing the fact that the C. resents only one section of the work- ers of this city and ig not able to reach the great mass of the unorgan- ized workers; and Whereas, the president and secre- tary of the Cleveland Federation of Labor have issued a statement against the Cleveland workers’ conference, de- nouncing it and slandering one of the organizations affiliated to the Cleve- land workers’ conference for miners’ relief, by declaring that “an organiza- tion posing under the name of the Workers Party which has on previ- Ous occasions thru misrepresentation filched the workers and the public”; and Whereas, the president and secre- None of the socialists at-+ | tary of the Cleveland Federation ot} Labor have produced and can pro-| ditce absolutely no facts to substanti-| ate their malicious accusations; and | Whereas, President McLaughlin ad-| vised safety director Barry of the} city of Cleveland not to grant a per- mit to the Cleveland workers confer- ence for miners’ relief, for a tag day, even before such permit was asked; and Whereas, the representative of the Jewish branch of the socialist party, and another delegate to the confer- ence, officials of the Workmen’s Circle and members of the district commit- tee of the Workmen’s Circle, whose conference for miners’ relief proposed unity with the Cleveland workers’ conference for miners’ relief, and | were elected to the committee of ac- tion of the merged conferences; and officialdom of the} F. of L. rep-| Whereas the conduct of these two gentlemen was one of collusion with the officialdom of the Cleveland Fed- eration of Labor and the city authori- ties, the only result of which could be and was to obstruct the collection of funds for the striking miners and their families, and to preverit the great mass of both organized and un- | organized workers of this city from | demonstrating their solidarity with the striking miners, in the full real- ization that if the miners’ strike were broken the attack of the open shop- pers would be launched against the entire American working class; Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the| Ropotnicza, Pravda, and Honor and conference for | pyuth, Cleveland workers’ miners’ relief condemns the action of the officials of the Cleveland Federa- tion of Labor, who took this action without consulting with and without ; the approval of the bodies affiliated to the Cleveland Federation of Labor; And Be It Further Resolved, that such actions of the officialdom of the Cleveland Federation of Labor drive away the unorganized workers in- stead of bringing them closer to the organized labor movement—these ac- tions therefore, being harmful to the progress of the working class of this country; and be it further Resolved, that this conference vi- gorously condemns the actions of the socialist representatives in this con- ference which clearly demonstrate, as in other parts of the country, where Organization With an Introduction by JAY LOVESTONE. The organizational structure of the American Communist move- ment; Constitution of the Workers (Communist) Party—Shop Nuclei Plan—Charts, ete. 15 Cents a Copy. Chicago Workers to Discuss World Court “The.World Court and Locarno” by H. M. Wicks, noted Communist will be the subject of a public lecture speaker and writer, at a meeting to be held on Thursday, February 25 at 8 p, m., in Northwest Hall, corner North and Western Avenues. lecture. The meeting is being held unde) Questions and discussion will follow the r the auspices of Section 6, Chicago, of the Workers Party of America. All workers are Invited to attend and participate in the discussion. Women’s Day Celebration in Chicago SATURDAY EVE., MARCH 6 at NORTHWEST HALL Cor. North and Western Aves. (3rd_ floor.) All friendly organizations are requested not to arrange other affairs on that day. the socialists have forcibly prevented | representatives of other working class organizations from participating in| conferences for miners’ relief, that the socialist party is bent upon keep-| ing the working class split up in-| stead of bringing it together on such a proposition of solidarity as miners’ relief; and be it further Resolved, that this conference de- clares the action of President Mc- Laughlin in issuing such a statement against the Workers Party as being unwarranted and baseless; and be it further Resolved, that this conference de- mand that President McLaughlin pro- duce evidence for his slanderous at-| tack upon the Workers Party, or be} branded a irresponsible before the workers of thig city; and be it fur- ther Resolved, that a copy of this reso- lution be sent to the Cleveland Fed- eration of Labor, to the affiliated un- ions and to the press. FREE LITERATURE SUPPLIED, MILWAUKEE, Wis.— Free copies of the YOUNG WORKER, Tribuna can be secured from Frank .dilder, 821 Clylesurn St., Milwaukee, CHICAGO |, L. D, 10 GREET TRUMBULL ON MARCH 4TH AND STH Chicago workers should reserve ‘Thursday evening, March 4 to greet Walter Trumbull, recently released from Alcatraz after serving a sen- tence for Communist activity in Hawaii, at the railroad station and Friday evening, March 5 to greet and hear Trumbull at the North Side Turner Hall. There will be other speakers on the program. Robert Morse Lovett, Ralph Chap- lin and Max Shachtman are among those on the list of speakers, PARIS COMMUNE CELEBRATION All working class organizations are asked not to arrange any con- flicting meeting on March 19 as the International Labor Defense, Chica- go local, is arranging a Paris Com- mune pageant and drama. Moving pictures of labor defense in the United States and in Europe will be shown, Bishop William Mont- gomery Brown is to be one of the spearers, TO TU NE A A ET LE THE 4TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE WORKERS FIGURES ON THE AMERICAN COMMUNIST MOVEMENT. Bae AD (COMMUNIST) PARTY—PLATFORM—RESOLUTIONS—FACTS AND FIFTY CENTS peae ' Hiaue 1a y Odrat @” * 'Second Anniversary | of Trybuna Robotnicza to Be Held March 7th | On March the Trybuna Borotnicza, | Polish organ of the Workers (Com- |munst) Party, well celebrate its sec- |ond anniversary. The two years that | have passed since the printing of the /first issue have been years of struggle. At the time of the founding of the | Paper there was a bitter struggle go- | ing on in the ranks of the Polish Com- | munists in this country, The Glos Ro- botniczy which had been controlled by the party became the center of a group | opposed to the party and they finally broke away to publish the paper as an independent organ. Knowing the great necessity of having a Com- munist paper for work among the | great mass of Polish workers in the to the party immediately started the publication of Tryhuna Robotnicza, To keep the paper alive for the past two years has been a hard strug- gle. Not only have we been able to do this but starting on the annivers- ary we will enlarge it. This is a big achievement considering the tremen- dous obstacles we have had to meet. Workers Write for Paper, The Trybuna Robotnicza has de- veloped as a mass organ during its brief life. The grip that the paper has on the Polish working masses is shown by the great number of work- ers who write for the paper, From factories, mines, mills, workers send in articles for the paper dealing with their struggles and problems, In this way our paper is penetrating the mass of Polish workers employed in the basic industries, The capitalist and jreactionary ele- ments in the Polish fptontes in this country have realized that our paper is their worst enemy and have bit- terly attacked it. The priests are con- ducting a campaign amongst the back- ward workers to get them to stop reading the paper, Recently in De- troit a priest during mass got the par- ticipants to take an oath for “the love |of god” not to read the Trybuna Ro- | botnicza. This shows the fear that our paper has inspired in these bitter enemies of the working class, The great support given by the cen- tral executive committee of the party shows how well the party lead- ership understand the necessity of an organ for Communist agitation among the Polish masses in the basic indus- tries, Without this support it would have been impossible for us to survive the first years of struggle to maintain our paper, Chicago Celebrates March 7, Mass meetings and celebrations will be held in all the large cities during the anniversary week. These meet- ings will be utilized to reach greater masses of workers for our paper and our party. In Chicago the celebration will take place on March 7 at; 2 o'clock in the afternoon at Schoenhofen Hall, cor- ner of Ashland and Milwaukee ave- nues. Workers of all nationalities are invited to aid us in celebrating our second anniversary in a fitting manner, aly ” ab aie country those who remained faithful) ON MINERS’ TRIAL AT GRAND RAPIDS I. L. D. Mass I Meeting to Be Held Tonight GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 23 — Ella Reeves (Mother) Bloor, veteran fighter ih the labor movement, will ad- dress a mass meeting under the au- spices of the International Labor De- fense, local Grand Rapids, tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock at Son’s and Daughter’s Hall, 1057 Hamilton Ave. N.W. Mother Bloor, coming fresh from Zeigler, Ill, where she attended the trial of the ‘coal miners, will give a vivid portrayal of the conspiracy of the coal bosses and the ku klux klan, which resulted in the conviction of the, miners a few days ago. All efforts are being made for a monster turnout of Grand Rapids workers to help raise the necessary funds, for the subse- quent trials of the miners, Admission is 25c. Eugene Bechtold will preside over the meeting. DETROIT SCHOOL BEGINS CLASSES THURS,, FEB, 25 DETROIT, Mich., Feb. 23. — The Workers’ School here has finally got- ten under way with three classes in Elements of Communism, a.class in Public Speaking and several classes in English. Classes in Trade Union History and Worker Correspondence will start Thursday, Feb. 25. The classes are held as follows: Elements of Communism, sections one and four, at the House of the Masses every Tuesday evening, and sections two and three at Finnish Hall, 5963 14th St., on Monday evenings, and sections five and six at Grayling Hall, 2376 Grayling, on Monday evenings. Public Speaking at the House of the Masses, every Thursday evening. Morris Sugar, instructor. Trade Union History, at the House of the Masses, every Thursday, Bud Reynolds, instructor, Worker Correspondence, at the House of the Masses, every Thursday evening. Owen Stirling, instructor, All classes begin at 8 p. m. All party members are requested to attend the class in “Elements of Communism” in their respective Bee-| tions and to report to the House of the Masses on Thursday, Feb, 25, to be assigned to the classes according to their ‘choice. Lovett Fort-Whiteman Will Speak on Negro Congress at Bridgeport BRIDGEPORTS Conn., Feb. 23 — Lovett Fort-Whiteman, national or- ganizer of the American Negro Labor Congress, will speak here at 598 Main St., Thursday night under that organi- zation’s auspices. All Negro and white workers are cordially invited, Your neighbor will appreciate the favor—give him ihis copy of the DAILY WORKER. Trade Union Educational League International Concert SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 8 P. M. Eighth Street Theatre. Best Musical and Vocal Talent. Tickets for sale at T. U. E. L. office, 156 W. Washington St.; DAILY WORKER, 1113 W. Washington Blvd,; Worker's House, 1902 W. Division and by all members of the T. U. B. L. Get Your Tickets Now! ON ACTIVITIES without doubt also played a decisive workers to the woxkers and unions of thru the creation of a united proletar- jan trade union) International in all its significance, e-warm approval which the de- mand of the Russian unions for inter- national unity received from the workers of various countries, above all, England, and also the numerous workérs’ delegations to the Soviet Union, apart from their political con- viction and party membership prove the absolute necessity and the tre- mendous importance of the establish- ment of trade union unity of the erly connections with the workers of other countries. (Continued trom page 1) establish a “democracy” in Russia, ‘ The Workers (Communist) Party regards the reasons given by the city committee of the socialist party in turning down the united front as a | mere pretext with which to break off negotiations which have satisfactorily progressed in the first session. The real reason for turning down the unit- ed front by the city committee of the socialist party, is the opposition of the Forwards group in the socialist party, not only to a united front with the Communists but to any united ac- tion which would lead toward a mass movement of the workers of New York City in favor of the Soviet Un- | ion. Within the socialist party uneasi- ness has developed regarding the tac- tics of the socialists. The heavy de- feat suffered by the socialists in the needle trades and the fall in the vote of the socialist party in the last election, have caused voices of dis- may as to policies of the Forwards, which dominates the tactics of the so- clalist party. Such discomfort has found public expression in the series of articles published by Norman Thomas in recent numbers of the New Leader. Norman Thomas, who, while funda- mentally in accord with the ideology and practices of the socialist party, calls for a modification of some of waning prestige of the socialist party. ‘The Forward Against U. S. S. R. The Forwards, however, continues its stand-pat policy of supporting and inspiring strong-arm tactics in the un- ions and Workmen’s Circles, such as expulsion of mijjtants and Commun- ists in the Workmen's Circle, the use of gangsterism in the Amalgamatéd Clothing Workergs-and believes that by villifying every class conscious movement and every class conscious worker, it will be able to maintain its position among the workers. The Forwards has made its chief reason of existence and its main issue the struggle against the workers’ and peasants’ government of the Soviet Union and against the Communist Party, going further even than the capitalist press goes in its campaign of calumny and distortion. It is in pursuit of this policy that the For- wards group opposes the united front for the Soviet Union. The S. P. declares that a united front with the Workers (Communist) ‘Party»is “impracticable.” This has been the time-honored explanation of the S. P. for refusing a united front of working class organizations on any vital issue affecting the workers. It has been the same with the ‘leaders of the European socialists, who have refused a united front until they were compelled by the pressure of the working class to enter united front movements. In Germany, a united front bf the socialist party and the Communists in the last election was a practical proposition which has brot beneficial results to the working class. Aids League of Nations, The socialist party considers a unit- ed front with the Communists for re- cognition of the Soviet Union imprac- ‘ticable, but it gladly makes common cause with the enemies of the work- ing class in supporting the league of nations, that instrument of war and plunder, which has enslaved Germany, confirmed the right of British to pil- lage India, backed France in its war against Syria and Morocco and sanc- ‘tioned the looting of China. The same league of nations which has boycott- ed, attacked and invaded the Soviet Union and which now at Locarno has laid new plans for a fresh attack up- on the Soviet Union. In proposing a united front the Workers (Communist) Party had no illusion regarding the attitude of the socialist party toward the workers’ government of the Soviet Union. Its hostility is well known. We proposed a common campaign for immediate needs of the American workers against the imperialist policy of the Coolidge administration manifested XIV COMMUNIST PARTY CONGRESS OF SOVIET UNION ADOPTS RESOLUTION IN TRADE UNIONS This resolution has Tomsky’s theses as its basis and concerning the international policy of the Russian trade unions, it declares as follows: “The economic strengthening of the Soviet Union gave the union's of the Soviet Union the possibility of approaching the task of establishing broth-| FRANSLATED BY WDA DAILES $1.25 Cloth Bound This strengthening role for.the attitude of the foreign the Soviet Unions, This gave the trade unions of the Soviet Union the possibility of raising the question of estab- lishing international trade union unity ¢—— also its energetic work to bring to- gether all supporters of unity. “The party congress expres: its conviction that the brotherly fighting alliance formed between the trade unions of Great Britain and the Soviet Union upon the basis of a mutual struggle for the unity of the trade union movement and in the form of the Anglo-Russian advisory commit- tee} and the warmest sympathy of the workers and trade unions of other countries for this commit! are whole international proletariat. “The party congress ratifies this line of the international work carried out by the Central committee of the trade wntons of tal worint Union and ad . oven yer é the first practical steps for the estab- lishment of 4#iternational unity and the guarantee of its success,” The resolution was unanimously adopted, * 19) Woes vaverye the tactics in order to arrest the fast-| OF SOVIET RUSSIA SABOTAGED BY “ SOCIALIST PARTY IN NEW YORK its attitude to recognition, In its policy of imperialist expan- sion, America is planning to plunge the working class into war. It is fe- verishly preparing greater arma- ments, poison gases and other devices of war, and its policy of no recogni- tion of the Soviet Union is part of this imperialist policy to subjugate and dominate Europe and to destroy any force which stands in the way of this program. Non-recognition of the Soviet Union is part of the entire pol- ley on the part of the government, of domination abroad and reaction at home. Recognition of the Soviet Un- fon by America would be a telling blow to the policy of the Coolidge ad- ministration, against these moves for war and isolation of the Soviet Union. A united front for Russian recognition would pave the way for similar unit- ed front action by the workers against wage quts, injunctions, against the proposed bills to persecute the foreign-born workers and to make a conscripted army out of the working class of the United States. It” would lead toward a movement for indepen- dent working class political action thru a labor party, without which the American workers are at the mercy of the capitalist class. S. P. Responsible for Breaks. The responsibility for the break in the negotiations after satisfactory steps had already been taken, must be laid at the door of the socialist party and particularly the Forwards group. It is to be regretted that such socialists who as honest social reform- ers desire to remain within the bounds of political decency, do not raise their voices in protest against the fascist attitude of the yellow For- wards toward the Soviet Union and do not protest against theybreaking off of the negotiations by the city commit- tee of the socialist party. The S. P. in breaking off negotia- tions for a united front, is not serv- ing the interests of the workers. It is. helping to keep the workers dis- united and demoralized at a time when the capitalist class unite ever firmer, merging their corporations and bringing down the lash of exploitation ever more mercilessly upon the backs of labor. The S. P. in breaking off negotiations, prevent the workers from getting together and fighting back these efforts of the capitalist class to destroy their movement. A united front for recognition of Russia would be a demonstration of unity, which would rebound to the general good of the working class movement, which suffers so bitterly from the campaign for the open shop, for wage cuts, injunctions and similar reactionary measures. Appeals to S, P. Members. A united front would give the work- ers more courage, stiffen up their re- sistance and lead to an upward move- ment on the part~of the workers, weakening the offensive of the capital- ist class and opening up a new period in the life of New York and Ameri- can workers. The Workers (Communist) Party stands ready to form a united front tor Russian recognition and will con- tinue to agitate and take steps for the formation of a united front of the working class of all labor organiza- tions irrespective of political differ- ences or political affiliation. It calls upon the membership of the S. P. to express in unmistakable terms their opposition to this policy of city com- mittee of the socialist party against the united front. Every socialist who wishes to serve the interests of the workers will fight for a united front for the recognition and defense of the Soviet’ Union. CZORRERS CULDEES 75 Cents Duroflax Binding MEET ME AT THE Manhattan Lyceum - CAFETERIA 66-68 E. 4th St., New York, N, Y. A Labor's Hating Place That * Deserves Your Patronage. Under the Ownership an i ment of the Ukratnian Labor Hote In., & Co-operative Labor Organization Best Quality Food 8 8 Dishes Eevery Day. 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